I’m very intersted in trying the 100-mile diet out once we have our kitchen back in working order again. I know I’m missing out on prime local food options right now during the summer, but I hope that we can give this a whirl in a few months. The website has all of the information you would need to get started and even has a mapping tool to show you what your hundred mile radius is.
It seems easy at first, eating only local produce, meats and dairy. But what about things like flour and sugar? Bread? Cake? Pie? Cookies? Ice Cream? I suppose diet is in the name for a reason! I know one thing though- this ain’t Matthew’s kind of diet.
I’ve promoted Local Harvest on this blog before, which I find to be an excellent resource and heartily endorse it to anyone intersted in filling their fridge, kitchen table and cupboards with food produced locally. With the economic and health crises we’re facing as a nation, I can’t think of a better time to support local food producers, use less fuel, eat healthy, whole foods and learn about where our food comes from.
Yes, I totally agree! We’re currently enjoying our second week of produce from our local organic farm and I’m loving it! It’s nice to plan your menu around whatever is in season instead of the other way around.
The 100-mile diet is a very cool idea. I’ve been trying to limit my fruit and veg consumption to British foods, so I’m okay on strawberries and potatoes but apples are a no-no. After some frustration I widened my net to include Europe, but that still means no bananas. Or golden kiwi, once they come into season.
It’s fascinating to me how America is internationally perceived as not remotely interested in anything green, yet when you look at state level and below there is all this great stuff going on. Any idea why this isn’t reflected in government?
Thanks for the comments!
Rachel, I think that the general perception of Americans is based on two extremes: Hollywood and the Federal Government. However, if you look at those who make up the general base, we’re pretty normal people interested in making the world around us a better place. Unfortunately, these people don’t make interesting news, so they’re not covered. There does seem to be a change in the air though.
I think people are getting fed up with the general way things are managed here and perhaps we’ll finally do something about it. Or slide into the oblivion of apathy. Either way, it’s definitely an interesting time to be an American.